12 arrested in Thailand in soccer match-fixing investigation

Bangkok, Nov 21 (AP) Football Association of Thailand
president Somyot Poompanmuang says five players and two match
officials from the top-flight national league are among the 12
people arrested for alleged match fixing.

Somyot held a news conference today with national police
chief Chakthip Chaijinda to announce that an investigation was
underway into the results of a match in July and three matches
in September.

Police reported that four players from the Navy team and
one from Nakhon Ratchasima were allegedly paid up to 200,000
Thai baht ($6,100) to manipulate results.

The FAT and Royal Thai Police used information from data
services company Sportradar as part of the investigation after
an unusual number of goals were scored in the late stages of
the games.

Somyat says match-fixing has long been a problem in
Thailand, adding "It's time we eradicate this wrongdoing which
is like a bad diseased of our body that needs to be cured."

Chakthip said all 12 were in custody pending a trial. He
said match and club officials can face up to 10 years in
prison if found guilty of match-fixing, and players could face
up to five years in jail